Interlocked modular building system

ABSTRACT

An interlocking modular building system which utilizes a plurality of spaced, vertically stacked modules to form columns for the building. The module columns are connected to a floor system comprising a plurality of beams and floor elements. In the preferred embodiment, the vertically stacked modules each have a generally &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;U&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; shape in plan view and are notched to receive one or more beams. The beams are connected at at least two points to one or two of the modules. A third connection for each beam is made to a module or to another beam. The floor elements are also connected at at least three points, two of which are to the modules or beams or to a combination thereof. The third connection for each floor element is made to a module, beam or another floor element. The resulting interlocking arrangement of the modules, beams and floor elements produces a stable three dimensional space frame.

ite States Patent Mah et al. 1 1 May 13, 1975 1 INTERLOCKED MODULARBUILDING 3,600,862 8/1971 Echert 52/236 3,662,506 5/l972 DIIIOl'l 52/262X 3,744,200 7/1973 Rice 52/236 X [76] Inventors: Francis Mah, 1682Lawrence PL,

Memphis Tenn 3 1 12; w C. FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Jones, III,360 Tara Ln., Memphis, 130,683 3/1947 Australia 52/79 13 3 111; Wi431,023 8/1967 Switzerland 52/236 LeMesSuI-ier, 402 Linden St 116,8972/1970 Denmark 52/236 Wellesley, Mass. 02181 M Primary ExaminerErnest R.Purser Ffled' 1973 Assistant ExaminerLeslie A. Braun 2 1 App]. 354 9Attorney, Agent,,0r Firm-Richard J. Birch Related U.S. Application DataABSTRACT [63] Continuation of Ser. No. l2l,465, March 5, I971, abandonedAn interlocking modular building system Wl'llCl'l utilizes a pluralityof spaced, vertically stacked modules 52 U.S. c1. 52/79; 52/236; 52/252;to form Columns for the building- The module 52/262 umns are connectedto a floor system comprising a 51 Int. Cl. E04b 1/343 plurality Of beamsand floor elements- In the preferred [58] Field of Search 52/35, 9 23 22 25 embodiment, the vertically stacked modules each have 52/252, 73 23a generally U shape in plan view and are notched to receive one or morebeams. The beams are connected [56] References Cited at at least twopoints to one or two of the modules. A UNITED STATES PATENTS thirdconnection for each beam is made to a module or to another beam. Thefloor elements are also cong 3/1912 P P 52/231 nected at at least threepoints, two of which are to the 17233;? 2/1335 22551151.: 11:: 25/323medules or e or to a Combination F The 2:O53i873 9/1936 Neiderhofermu52/236 third connection for each floor element 1s made to a 21687258/1939 Whelan v 52/35 module, beam or another floor element. Theresulting 2,786,349 3/1957 Coff 52 23 interlocking arrangement of themodules, beams and 3201907 8/1965 Henderson 1 52/73 floor elementsproduces a stable three dimensional 3,487,597 1/1970 Gutt 52/73 spaceframe. 3,495,371 2/1970 Mitchell.... 52/236 3,566,558 3/1971 Fisher52/236 21 Clalms, 16 Drawmg Flgures PAIENTEU IIII I 3% 3, 882.648

SHEET 1 BF 8 1 ,JHI

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sum 3 0F 8 I E I! z 1 INVENTORS FRANCIS MAH BY WALK c. JONESIEE w l R RFig 6 ILLIAMJ LEMESSU IE ATTORNEYS iii] INYENI'ORS FRANCIS MAH WALK C.JONES III WILLIAM J. LEMESSURIER A'ITORNEYS SHEET u 0? 8 PAIENTEB MAY I3 i975 Fig. Z

RUE-HEB l 3 m SHEH 5 (IF 8 INVENTORS FRANCIS MAH WALK C. JONESDI WILLIAMJ. LEMESSURIER Fig 9.

ATTORNEYS PATENTED HAY 31875 SHEET 8 BF 8 I,-'\"\/'E1\"I'ORS FRANCIS MAHy WALK c. JONES 111 WILLIAM J. LEMESSURIER PATEEHEBZW I 3W5 SHEET 7 I}?8 INVENTORS FR ANCI S M AH WALK C. JONES'JIE WILLIAM J. LEMESSURIERATTORNEYS PATENIED M 3,882,649

SHEET 8 UP 8 IO 5 ka Fzlgl INVENTOR. FRANCIS MAH BY WALK C. JONES IIIWILLIAM J. LEMESSURIER INTERLOCKED MODULAR BUILDING SYSTEM This is acontinuation of application Ser. No. 121,465 filed Mar. 5, 1971, nowabandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to modular buildingsystems in general and, more particularly, to a modular building systemin which the column forming modules, beams and floor elements arestructurally interlocked to produce a three-dimensional space frame.

In the past, various types of modular building sytsems have beenproposed to simplify building construction techniques with a concomitantreduction in building costs. The use of prefabricated, pre-finished,room-size modules for bathrooms, kitchens, utility rooms and the likewas suggested at least as early as 1939 in US. Pat. No. 2,168,725,issued Aug. 8, 1939 to J. J. Whelan for BUILDING CONSTRUCTION. TheWhelan patent describes a multi-story building construction in whichvarious types of modules are vertically stacked to form a shaft. Afterall of the modules are in place, concrete is poured through the tubes ineach of the modules fill ing all of the spaces therein. The resultingenclosed concrete, load-bearing column directly supports the floors androof only for gravity loads. Since the Whelanbuilding construction doesnot provide a frame action to resist racking loads, it is impracticalfor use in current buildings.

Other pre-fabricated, pre-finished building systems have employed full,large size room units which are as sembled in longitudinal or transverserelationship and- /or stacked in superposed relationship. One typicalexample of such a building system is illustrated in US. Pat. No.3,292,327, issued Dec. 20, 1966 to Van Der Lely for PLURAL STORYBUILDING COMPRISING SUPERIMPOSED BOX-SHAPED DWELLING UNIT. The large orfull size room building system shown in Van Der Lely and other similarpatents has some advantages, but, the disadvantages of the systemoutweigh its advantages. For example, the physical size of the boxshapedwelling units precludes the use of highway transportation for movingthe dwelling units from the manufacturing site to the construction site.In addition, the system is generally unsuitable for highriseconstruction It is accordingly, a general object of the presentinvention to provide a modular building system which eliminates themajor problems of the prior art systems.

It is specific object of the present invention to provide aninterlocking modular building system which produces a three-dimensionalspace frame through the repetitive use of fixedly inter-connectedstructural elements, including modules, fixedly inter-connectedstructral elements, including beams and floor elements.

It is another object of the invention to provide a modular buildingsystem which allows the architect wide latitude in designing andimplementing various types of floor plans.

It is still anotherobject of the present invention to provide aninterlocking modular building system which employs easily constructedand, if desired, pre-cast modules in conjunction with conventionalpre-cast beams and floor elements.

It is a feature of the present invention that various types of buildingscan be constructed using the same basic modular system components ofmodules, beams and floor elements.

It is another feature of the invention that a building constructed withthe interlocking modular building system costs less per square foot interms of actual building construction costs than a comparable buildingconstructed by conventional techniques.

These objects and other objects and features of the present inventionwill best be understood from a detailed description of a preferredembodiment thereof, selected for purposes of illustration and shown inthe accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial cut-away illustrating theinterlocking, stacked, vertical modules, beams and floor elements of themodular buildings system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in cross-section taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged detailed view in side elevation I showing theconnection of two of the horizontal beams depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of aportion of one building floor configurationusing the module shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of one of the room units depicted inFIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view in partial cut-away of another embodimentof the interlocking, vertically stacked modules;

FIG. 6 is a view in cross-section taken along lines 66 in FIG. 5; I

FIG. 7 is a view in cross-section taken along lines 77 in FIG. 5;

FIGS. 8a and 8b are enlarged views in front elevation showing twosystems for interconnecting the modules, beams and floor elements;

FIG. 9 is a view in perspective of a multi-story building incorporatingthe modules illustrated in FIG. 5;

FIG. 10 is a view in perspective and partial cut-away of still anotherembodiment of the interlocking, vertically spaced modules;

FIG. 11 is a view in cross-section taken along lines 11l1 in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a plan view of one floor of a building showing the use of acombination of different types of modules;

FIG. 13 is a side elevation of two connected modules illustratinganother embodiment of the modules; and,

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the modules depicted in FIG. 13.

Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates in perspective andpartial cut-away view the interlocking arrangement of the components ofthe modular building system of the present invention. The system usedonly three basic types of structural element or components; a module 10,a beam 12 and a floor element 14. These three basic components areassembled together at the building site in an interlocking, repetitivepattern to produce a three-dimensional space frame for single andmulti-story buildings.

The module 10 can be constructed from a number of materials includingconcrete, brick and mortar, wood, metal and pastic. Preferably, themodules 10 are formed from pre-cast concrete which can be poured at aremote location with the finished module being trucked to theconstruction site, or poured at the construction site itself. The sizeof the modules when viewed in plan can vary over a wide range dependingupon the particular application for the module. For example, the twomodules illustrated in FIG. 1 can range square. However, if the modulemust be shipped by highway, an 8 foot limitation is desirable in orderto avoid the problems associated with trucking extra wide loads. Thevertical height of the module can vary from approximately 8 feet up tothe general maximum story height of 13 feet for a single story module.For a single, multiple story module, the vertical height and basedimensions will, of course, be greater. Since the modules can bepre-cast or manufactured at a remote location, prefinishing of themodule and installation of suitable equipment, such as, the componentsof a bathroom or kitchen, are quite feasible and offer a cost savingover corresponding on-site work.

The interlocking. modular building system of the present invention canbest be understood by looking at FIGS. 1 through 4 which illustrate theuse of one embodiment of the module 10 together with the beams and floorelements 12 and 14, respectively, to construct a multi-story,three-dimensional space frame. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1through 4, the module 10 comprises a pre-cast concrete unit having aU-shape in plan view with two vertical side walls 16 and 18, a

back wall 20 and a floor 22.Although the module 10 is shown with threesides, 16, 18, and 20, three sides are not absolutely required.Conceptually, the space frame can be constructed with a two sidedmodule, but three sides are preferred as shown in FIG. 1. The modulefloor 22 can be cast in place, as illustrated in FIG. 1, or omitted fromthe module. In the latter situation a horizontal surface is formedwithin the module by an extension of one or more of the floor elements14. In any event, eachsuch module preferably includes at least twovertically extending, angularly interconnected walls.

The upper forward edges of the side walls 16 and 18 are cut-away to formstep notches or recesses 24 and 26, respectively. Alternatively, thestep notches 24 and 26 can be formed during the casting of the module.Each step notch 24 and 26 has a horizontal and vertical dimension whichcorresponds to the horizontal and vertical dimensions of the beams 12.Thus, when the beams are placed on the step notches 24 and 26,-as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper surface of each beam will be coplanar withthe upper surface of the vertical walls 16, 18, and 20 and with thefront surfaces of the sides walls 16 and 18. Although this particulararrangement is desirable, it should be understood that from thestandpoint of the resulting structure, the lower portion of each moduleside wall 16 and 18 can be notched to accomodate the beam 12. Otherconfigurations for the module notching and beam positioning will bediscussed below in connection with FIGS. 5, l0,

l3 and 14.

The two beams 12 illustrated in FIG. 1 are connected 'to each other bymeans of metal tie plates 28 and 30 as.

shown in FIG. 2A. The metal tie plates are cast into the ends of thebeam and are secured therein by means of tie wires 32 and 34,respectively. After the beams are positioned in the module notches 24and 26, a field weld 36 is made to join the two tie plates 28 and 3f)togetheruWhile other connecting systems, such as drilled fasteningplates and bolts can be used to connect the two beams together, the useof field welded tie plates eliminates the need for accurate drilling andpositioning of the connecting means.

, 4 I I Eachibeam 12 is also connected tothe floor elments 14. Lookingat FIGS. 1 and 2, a metal platefor insert I. 3% is mounted within andflush to thesurfaceof the pre-cast beam. A corresponding metal inset ,40.is' mounted on the stem 42 of the double Tee floor element 14. Once thebeams 12 have been positioned within the appropriate notches 24 and 26on the underlying module and the upper module is positioned thereover, afield weld is made between, an angle bracket 44 and thecorrespondingmetal inserts 38and 40. Similar metal inserts and anglebrackets are used to secure the other stem 42a of the double Tee floorelement "141. These inserts and brackets can best be seen in FIG. 2 andare identified by the samenumerals with asmall f letter a addedthereafter.

The same type of fastening system is also used to secure the ends of thefloor element stems 42 and 42a 'to the back wall of the module. Lookingat FIG. 2, a metal.

insert 46 is embedded in the pre-cast stem 42a of floor element 14.Another plate 48 is mounted within theinj- N v side back wall of themodule. Angle bracketYSU'is field welded to the metal inserts 416 and 48after the dry as-' sembly of the modules, beams and floor elements Afterthe dry assembly of the vertically stacked modules 10 and theinterlocking beams and floor elements:

it is desirable to clamp the modules and beam's togethe'r by means otherthan gravity. For this purpose, and by way of. illustration only, posttensioning rods 52 are ules together.

with the vertically stacked modules, beams and floor elements connectedtogether in' interlocking relation ship toform a threedimensional spaceframe, conven tional techniques are than employed to finish thebuilding.For example, a poured in situ concrete topping S4 is laid over the topsurface of the doubleTeefloorelements 14. Noexterior wallelements havebeen shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 because such wall elementsdo not form a partof the buildings three dimensionalfspace frame structure. Standard skinpanels can be usedto';

cover the exterior of the building framein a manner well known to thoseskilled in the art. 1

It has already been mentioned that the interlocking modular buildingsystem of the present invention utilizes a repetition of three basiccomponents i.e.. mod ules, beams, and floor elements, to form athreedimensional space frame. This system affords the. archi tect aconsiderabledegree of latitude. in designing the floor plans for abuilding and permits a varietyofdifferent types of buildings to beconstructed with'the same basic system. For example, FIG. 3 illustratesa typical floor plan for a single or multi-story low or moderate 7income housing development using the modular system depicted in FIGS. 1and 2. Each module 10 is used. to 7 form a bathroom 56 for acorresponding living unit, in-

dicated generally by reference numeral 58. The outside .walls 60 arenon-load bearing and donot form a part of the structural system .for thebuilding. Thetypicalf. building layout shown .in FIGS. 3 and 4 canbeconstructed with 8 foot modules and a spacing between the exterior wallsof approximately 37 to 38 feet. This arrangement leaves two 16 foot deepapartment units and a foot wide corridor 62. Looking at the enlarge planview of a typical apartment unit 58 show in FIG. 4, the unit comprises aliving room-kitchen area 64, a bedroom 66 and the previously mentionedbathroom 56. Representative dimensions for the living room-kitchen areaare: a length of 16 feet from the corridor to the exterior wall 60 and awidth of 13 feet 6 inches. The bedroom 66 has a width of feet 6 inchesand a depth including the closet space of 16 feet. Normally, pipe chase68 is provided on the interior side of the module 10 and, preferably,the pre-case module is prefinished with the major bathroom componentsinstalled before the module is positioned in place at the constructionsite.

It will be appreciated from the preceding description of theinterlocking modular building system and the representative floor plansshown in FIGS. 3 and 4 that the system provides considerable flexibilityin both floor plans and types of buildings. For example, the system canbe used to construct multiple occupancy dwellings including apartmentbuildings, hotels and motels all of which reequire numerous servicemodules e.g. bathrooms and kitchens. The modular system is also wellsuited for any type of building construction which requires large, openbays. Since the system is not limited to the specific moduleconfiguration shown in FIG. 1, additional flexibility can be achieved byusing a combination of different types of modules. One such combinationof different types of modules is illustrated in FIG. 12 and will bediscussed in detail after a description of the two additional types ofmodules depicted in FIGS. 5 and 10.

Referring to FIGS. 5 through 9, and in particular, FIG. 5, there isshown another embodiment of the module 10. Where possible, the samereference numerals have been used in FIGS. 5 through 9 to identify thesame components previously discussed in connection with FIGS. 1 through4. The module 10 again has a generally U shape in plan view with sidewalls 16 and 18 and a back wall 20. If the optional module floor 22 itused, it is generally pre-cast with the module. The side walls 16 and 18are cut-away or cast with a full notch or recess 70 and 72,respectively. The position of the full notches 70 and 72 along the sidewalls can be varied to accommodate different building floor plans. Thewidth and depth of the two notches corresponds to the width and heightof the beams 12 to provide a flush surface when the beams are assembledin interlocking relationship with the modules as best shown in FIG. 6.Again, depending upon module height and the desired configuration, thenotches 70 and 72 can be located in the lower portion of each module.

The fastening system for securing the floor elements 14 to the beams issubstantially the same as previously described. Thus looking at FIGS. 5and 6, each beam 12 is provided with a metal insert 38 and acorresponding metal insert 40 is mounted on the single Tee stem 42.After dry assembly of the interlocking modules, beams and floor elementsat the construction site, a field weld is made between the angle bracket44 and the metal plates inserts 38 and 40.

A similar fastening system is also used to connect the floor elements 14to the module. Each single Tee stem 42 is provided with a metal insert46 (FIG. 6). A corresponding metal insert 48 is located on the forwardedge of each of the side walls. The angle bracket 50 is field welded tothe metal plates 46 and 48 after dry assembly of the structuralcomponents. If desired, a concrete topping 54 can be poured over thefloor elements 14 to provide a smooth and contiuous surface. Preferably,the concrete topping surface should be co-planar with the surface of themodule floor 22. If the module 10 is formed from pre-cast concrete,optional metal tie rods 74 can be secured within the pre-cast concreteto provide a connection between the concrete topping 54 and the module10.

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate in enlarged form two methods for securing thesingle Tee stem 42 to the side walls 16 and 18 of the module. FIG. 8ashows the method previously described in connection with FIGS. 5 and 6in which the beam and Tee stem metal inserts 38 and 40, respectively,are field welded to an angle bracket 44. If post-tensioning of thevertically stacked modules is employed, as shown for illustrativepurposes in FIGS. 5 through 8, then the stem 42 of the floor element canbe clamped between a portion of the side walls and the beams. FIG. 8billustrates this arrangement and shows the side walls 18 with anundercut area 76 that accommodates a portion of the Tee stem 42. Whenthe upper and lower modules are clamped together by means of thepost-tensioning rods 52, the Tee stem 42 will be securely held in placeand structurally connected to the module and beam.

FIG. 9 illustrates in perspective view a portion of the mulit-storybuilding constructed in accordance with the present invention. It can beseen from FIG. 9 that the interlocking modular building system providesa very flexible building system with the option of obtaining large openbays by using in repetitive sequence the three basic components ofmodules, beams and floor elements. Where multi-story open areas aredesired, as for example, in hotel ballrooms, the floor elements 14 canbe omitted from one or more floors.

It has already been mentioned that additional flexibility can beachieved by using a combination of the various types of modules. FIGS.10 and 11 illustrate a third type of module. The same reference numeralswill again be used to identify the same elements described in connectionwith FIGS. 1 through 4. The module shown in FIG. 10 combines thebeam-notch arrangement of the modules depicted in FIGS. 1 and 5. Themodule 10 has two step notches 24 and 26 located at the upper forwardedge of the side walls 16 and 18, respectively. The height and depth ofthe sep notches 24 and 26 correspond to the width and height of thebeams 12, as best seen in FIG. 11. Two full notches and 72 are alsoprovided in the side walls 61 and 18, respectively. However, in thiscase, the location of the full notches 70 and 72 is different from thelocation of the same notches shown in FIG. 5. The beams 12 arepositioned within the step notches 24 and 26 and the full notches 70 and72 as best seen in FIG. 11.

The beams 12 support a floor system formed a plurality of hollow core,slab floor elements 14. The floor elements 14 are secured to the beamsby means of the plate and welded angle bracket system previouslydescribed in connection with the FIGS. 1 and 5. It should be noted thatin this arrangement, the metal insert plate 40 is positioned on theunder surface of the floor slab l4.

Each module is undercut on the forward portion of the side walls 16 and18 to accommodate the combined thickness of the floor slab 14 and theconcrete topping 54. It can be seen from an inspection of FIG. 11 thatwhen the vertically stacked modules are connected together by suitablemeans, such as, the previously described post-tensioning system, some ofthe floor ele-- ments 14 will be clamped between the module side wallsand the underlying beam. The other floor elements 14 are connected tothe beams by means of the welded angle bracket system. Thus, afterposttensioning and field welding of the angle brackets, the. interlockedmodules, beams and floor elements provide the desired three-dimensionalspace frame.

FIG. 12 illustrates in plan view a building structure that incorporatesthree diffeent types of modules 10. The right hand row of modules are ofthe type shown in FIGS. 1 through 4, with step notch at the forward endat each of the side walls 16 and 18. Two beams 12 are used to span thethree right hand modules. The beams are connected together in the righthand center module in the manner shown in FIG. 2a. The center verticalrow, as viewed in FIG. 12, uses the module configuration illustrated inFIGS. 5, 6, and 7. Again, two beams 12 are used to span the threemodules and the two beams are connected together in the same manner aspreviously described. The left hand set of modules is similar inconfiguration to the module structure shown in FIGS. and 11 with theomission of the step notches 24 and 26. Two beams are likewise used tospan the distances between the modules and are connected together in thesame manner.

Single Tee floor elements 14 span the distance between the right handand center beams, as viewed in FIG. 12. The floor elements are securedto the beams by the angle brackets system previously described. Theextended portions of the Tee stems are also connected to the side of themodule by the plate and angle bracket system with only the angle bracket50 being shown in FIG. 12. The left hand set of floor elements 14 spanthe distance between the center beam and the left hand beams arecantilevered outwardly to the left as viewed in FIG. 12 from the lefthand set of beams. Here again, the single Tee floor elements 14 areconnected to the two beams and to the modules. Typical dimensions forthe building shown in FIG. 12 are as follows: length, 120 feet; width,80 feet; distancebetween beams measured along the long dimension of thebuilding, 48 feet; module size, 8 feet; and, length of the cantilever,12 feet.

The flexibility of the interlocking modular building system of thepresent invention is further demonstrated by still another moduleconfiguration shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. In many types of multi-occupancydwellings, such as hotels and apartment houses, it is desirable to haveone or more relatively narrow, centrally located corridors to provideaccess to the individual dwelling units. The vertically stacked modulesshown in side elevation in FIG. 13 and in plan view in FIG. 14greatlysimplify this type of construction. Looking at FIGS. 13 and 14, themodules 10 are similar to the previously discussed module depicted inFIG. 5. Where possible the same reference numerals have been used inFIGS. 13 and 14 to identify similar elements. Each module has agenerally U shape in plan view with two side walls 16 and 18, a backwall 21 and an optional floor 22. Step notches and 72 are cut into orformed in the side module with its floor 22 and extension 78can be castas a monolithic unit. The two sets of vertically stacked modules arearranged with the extensions 78in abut.

ting relationship. The extensions are connected .to

gether by means of a metal plate 80 that is field welded I i tocorresponding metal inserts 82 in each of theeXtenF sions. I

From astructural standpoint, the two extensions '78 correspond tothepreviously discussed floor element 14. The resulting interlocked module,beam and r three i dimensional space frame. By repeating thepairedmodfloor or extension elements form a ule arrangement shown inFIGS. 13 and 14, it is possible to form a modular core for amulti-dwelling building which provides the necessary resistance tolateral} loads. This modular core constitutes the primary structuralsystem for the building. The exterior system can be constructed in avariety of conventional ways with I in-fill slabs being used to form afloor system between the beams 12 and the exterior walls (not shown).

It will be appreciated from the preceding discussion that theinterlocking modular. building system of the presentinvention can beused for all or only'a. portion of a building. In the latter case, thesystem provides the:

necessary three-dimensional space frame forthe building. Lookingspecifically at FIG. 13, the extensions78 and the facing surfaces of themodule back'walls 20 define a corridor. Typical dimensions for thisparticular configuration are as follows: module floor dimension,

8 square feet; module height, 8 to 13 feetymodule ex- 7 tension length,3 feet. Thus for an apartmentor'ho tel construction, the twomodulesshown in FIGS. 13 .and i I 14 provide a 6 foot wide corridor.

For multi-dwelling units, the modules shown building site in abuttingrelation with one of the module side walls 16 or 18. This configurationthen permits a back-to-back arrangement with common water supply, waste,drain and vent lines. I I

l-Iaving described in detail a number ofembodiments of the modules 10and the corresponding interlocking relationship among the modules,beams, and floorelements, certain generalizations can be made about theinterlocking module building system of the present in-" vention. Forexample, although the preferred module embodiment has a generally Ushape in plan view with three sides, the systemcan be constructed with amod-i ule having at least two connected vertical sides. Each of thespaced, horizontally, extending beams 12 isconnected at at least threepoints. Two to the points new one or two of the modules 10 while thethird point is to a module or beam. Similarly, the longitudinal, hori-*zontally extending floor elements 14 are each con-p nected at at leastthree points of which two of the points are to one of the modules or totwoof the modules or to a combination of one of the modules and one ofthe beams, or to two of the beams. The thirdpoint of connection for eachfloor element is to .one ofthe in Pics.) 13 and 14 normally would beprefabricated as service modules i.e., kitchens, or bathrooms. Theajdoining dwelling unit bathroom or kitchen is constructedat the modulesor beams or to another floor element. Given these general requirements,the three basic components of the interlocking modular building systemcan be arranged in a variety of ways to accommodate the architects floorplans. In each instance, however, the modules, beams and floor elementsare connected together as defined above to form a threedimension spaceframe.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerousmodifications can be made to the interlocking modular building system ofthe present invention without departing from the scope of the inventionas set forth in the appended claims.

What we claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the UnitedStates is:

1. A modular building structure, comprising:

a plurality of fixedly interconnected structural elements, alignedconnecting means on each of said structural elements fixedly connectingsaid structural elements together, said structural elements includingvertically extending modules, horizontally extending beams, andhorizontally extending floor elements, means fixedly connecting each ofsaid beams and floor elements at at least spaced points thereon to atleast another one of said structural elements,

said modules each being substantially U-shaped in horizontal crosssection and including a pair of vertically extending side walls and avertically extend ing back wall connected to the side walls, said sidewalls each having an upper marginal edge surface and a lower portionwith at least one beam receiving recess in each of said upper marginaledge surfaces,

said beam receiving recesses being located in the front marginal edgesor corners of the upper edge surfaces of the side walls and comprisingstep recesses having a depth and width corresponding to the crosssectional thickness of a beam so that a beam positioned in a recess isflush with the edge surfaces of the modules,

at least some of said beams received in said recesses and each fixedlyconnected at at least two spaced points thereon to said modules, andeach fixedly connected at a third point thereon to another one of saidstructural elements,

said floor elements each being elongate and substantially rectangularlyshaped and supported on said beams in a horizontal position, each ofsaid floor elements being fixedly connected at at least two spacedpoints thereon to at least one other of said structural elements, andfixedly connected at a third point thereon to another one of saidstructural elements,

adjacent connecting means on said structural elements being aligned andoperatively secured together to fixedly secure said beams, modules, andfloor elements together to define a threedimensional space frame whichresists horizontal and vertical loads.

2. A modular building structure, comprising:

a plurality of fixedly interconnected structural elements, alignedconnecting means on each of said structural elements fixedly connectingsaid structural elements together, said structural elements includingvertically extending modules, horizontally extending beams, andhorizontally extending floor elements, means fixedly connecting each ofsaid beams and floor elements at at least three spaced points thereon toat least another one of said structural elements,

said modules each being substantially U-shaped in horizontal crosssection and including a pair of vertically extending side walls and avertically extending back wall connected to the side walls, said sidewalls each having an upper marginal edge surface and a lower portionwith at least one beam receiving recess in each of said upper marginaledge surfaces,

said beam receiving recesses being located between opposite ends of theupper marginal edge surface of the side walls and comprising fullrecesses having a depth and width corresponding to the cross sectionalthickness of a beam so that a beam positioned in a recess is flush withthe upper marginal edge surface of the modules,

at least some of said beams received in said recesses and each fixedlyconnected at at least two spaced points thereon to said modules, andeach fixedly connected at a third point thereon to another one of saidstructural elements,

said floor elements each being elongate and substantially rectangularlyshaped and supported on said beams in a horizontal position, each ofsaid floor elements being fixedly connected at at least two spacedpoints thereon to at least one other of said structural elements, andfixedly connected at a third point thereon to another one of saidstructural elements,

adjacent connecting means on said structural elements being aligned andoperatively secured together to fixedly secure said beams, modules, andfloor elements together to define a threedimensional space frame whichresists horizontal and vertical loads,

3. A modular building structure as in claim 2, wherein at least one beamextends between the side walls of one module and is received in therecesses in said side walls.

4. A modular building structure as in claim 2, wherein each beam isconnected at two spaced points thereon to one module and at a thirdpoint to another module.

5. A modular building structure as in claim 2, wherein each beam isconnected at two spaced points thereon to one module and at a thirdpoint to another beam.

6. A modular building structure as in claim 2, wherein each beam isconnected at two spaced points thereon to two separate modules and at athird point to another module.

7. A modular building structure as in claim 2, wherein each beam isconnected at two spaced points thereon to two separate modules and at athird point to another beam.

8. A modular building structure as in claim 2, wherein each floorelement is connected at two spaced points thereon to one of the modulesand at a third point thereon to another module.

9. A modular building structure as in claim 2, wherein each floorelement is connected at two spaced points thereon to two separatemodules and at a third point thereon to another module.

ill

10. A modular building structure as in, claim 2, wherein each floorelement is connected at twospaced points thereon to a module and a beamand at a third point thereon to another floor element.

11. A modular building structure, comprising:

a plurality of fixedly interconnected structural elements, alignedconnecting means on each of said structural elements fixedlyconnectingsaid struc tural elements together, said structural elementsincluding vertically extending modules, horizontally extending beams,and horizontally extending;

floor elements, means fixedly connecting each of said beams and floorelements at at least three spaced points thereon to at least another oneof said structural elements.

said modules each being substantially U-shaped in cross section andincluding a pair of vertially ex-' tending side walls and a vertiallyextending back wall connected to the side walls, said side walls eachhaving an upper marginal edge surface and a lower portion with at leastone beam receiving recess in each of said upper marginal edge surfaces,a plurality of said modules being connected together in superposed,vertically stacked relationship to form a vertical column, saidstructural including a plurality of said columns in spaced apartrelationship with said columns each comprising a pair of adjacent,vertical stacks of U-shaped modules, with the back walls of the modulesin one stack adjacent; the back elements of the modules in the adjacentstack, a horizontal projection on the backwall of each module extendingtoward the backwall of an adjacent module, and means connecting togetherthe extensions on adjacent pairs of modules,

at least some of said beams received in said recesses and each fixedlyconnected at at least two spaced points thereon to said modules, andeachfixedly connected at a third point thereon to another one of saidstructural elements,

said floor elements each being elongate and substanfloor together getherto fixedly secured said beams, modules, and

dimensional space frame which resists horizontal and vertical loads. 12.A modular building structure, comprising: a plurality of fixedlyinterconnected structural elements, aligned connecting means on each ofsaid,

structural elements fixedly connecting said structural elementstogether, said structural elements including vertically extendingmodules, horizontally extending beams, and horizontally extending floorelements, means fixedly connecting each of said beams and floor elementsat at least three spaced points thereon to at least another one of saidstructural elements,

said modules each including at least two vertically extending, angularlyinterconnected walls:each having an upper marginal edge surface and alower s o portion withat least one beam receiving recess in each of saidupper marginal edge surfaces,-

at least some of said beams received in said recesses and each fixedlyconnected at at least two spaced points thereon to said modules, andeach fixedly' connected at a third point thereon to another one of saidstructural elements,

said floor elements each being elongate and substan-i I tiallyrectangularly shapedand supported on said V beams in a horizontalposition, each of'said floor elements being fixedly connected'atjatleasttwo spacedpoints thereon to at least one other of said structuralelements, and fixedly connected at a third point thereon to another oneof said struc tural elements, adjacent connecting means thereof exposed,said exposed portions of adjacent, aligned connecting means weldedtogether, to fixedly secure said beams, modules, and floorelementstogether toydefine a three-dimensional space: 1 i frame whichresists horizontal and verticala loads."

13. A modular building structure, comprising:

a plurality offixedly interconnected structuralelee;

ments, aligned connecting means on each of said v structural elementsfixedly connecting saidstructural elements together, said structuralelements including vertically extending, precast concrete modules,horizontally extending percast concrete beams, and horizonally extendingprecast floor ele+i ments, means fixedly connecting each of said beamsand floor elements at at least three spaced points thereon to at leastanother one of said structuralelements,

said modules being substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross sectionwith vertically extending, an? gularly interconnected walls each havingan upper marginal edge surface and a lower portion with at least onebeam receiving recess in each of said upper marginal edge surfaces,

at least some of said beams received in said recesses and each fixedlyconnected at at least, two spaced, points thereon to saidmodules, andeach fixedly another one connected at a third point thereon to of saidstructural elements, I

said floorelments each being elongate and substantially rectangularlyshaped and supported on said beams in ahorizontal position, each of saidfloor elements being fixedly connected at at least two spaced pointsthereon to at least one other of said structural elements, and fixedlyconnected at a third point thereon to another one ofsiaid struc-' turalelements, I

adjacent connecting means on said structural elements being aligned andoperatively secured to-, gether to fixedly secure said beams, modules,(and: A I

to define a three}:

dimensional space frame which resists horizontal floor elements togetherand vertical loads.

14. A modular building structure as in claim 13, wherein a poured insitu concrete topping is on top of 1 said floor elements.

15. A modular building structure as in claim '14 wherein metal tie rodsare cast into said modulesand have exposed portions extendinginto saidpoured in situ topping to, secure the topping to the modules; I

on said structural elements comprising metallic members cast intosaid Imodules, beams and floor elements with portions 16. A modular buildingstructure, comprising a plurality of fixedly interconnected, verticallyextending modules, horizontally extending beams and horizontallyextending floor elements, said modules each comprising precast concreteand each substantially U- shaped in horizontal cross section andincluding a back wall and a pair of spaced apart side walls having upperedge surfaces, aligned notches in the front, upper corners of the sidewalls of each module, a pair of axially aligned, horizontal, end-to-endbeams received in the notches in each module in perpendicularrelationship to the plane of the side walls and with adjacent ends ofthe pair of beams positioned between the side walls of the associatedmodule, beam connecting means on the adjacent ends of the pair of beams,means connecting the beam connecting means together to rigidly connectthe beams to one another, a plurality of horizontal floor elementssupported on the beams, each of said floor elements having a pair ofspaced apart, parallel, longitudinally extending, downwardly projectingribs on the underside thereof, said ribs supported on the tops of saidbeams, floor element and beam connecting means on said ribs and onadjacent portions of said beams, means connecting the floor element andbeam connecting means together to rigidly secure the floor elements tothe beams, floor element and module connecting means on the floorelements and on adjacent portions of the modules, and means connectingthe floor element and module connecting means together to rigidlyconnect the floor elements to the modules, to define a three-dimensionalspace frame which resists horizontal and vertical loads.

17. A modular building structure, comprising a plurality of fixedlyinterconnected, vertically extending modules, horizontal beams andhorizontal floor elements, said modules each comprising precast concreteand each substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross section andincluding a back wall and a pair of spaced apart side walls having upperedge surfaces, aligned notches in the upper edge surfaces of the sidewalls between opposite ends of the upper edge surfaces, a horizontalbeam received in the notches and extending between and perpendicular tothe side walls of the modules, a plurality of horizontal floor elementssupported on the beam, a longitudinally extending, downwardly projectingrib on the underside of each floor element, said ribs supported on topof the beams, floor element and beam connecting means on the rib of eachfloor element and on an adjacent portion of the beams, means connectingthe connecting means together to rigidly connect the floor elements tothe beams, floor element and module connecting means on the ribs of thefloor elements and on adjacent portions of the modules, and meansrigidly connecting the floor element and module connecting meanstogether to rigidly connect the floor elements to the modules to definea three-dimensional space frame which resists horizontal and verticalloads.

18. A modular building structure, comprising a plurality of fixedlyinterconnected, vertically extending modules, horizontal beams andhorizontal floor elements, said modules each comprising precast concreteand each substantially U-shaped in horizontal cross section andincluding a back wall and a pair of spaced apart side walls having upperedge surfaces, aligned notches in the upper edge surfaces of the sidewalls between opposite ends of the upper edge surfaces, a horizontalbeam received in the notches and extending between and perpendicular tothe side walls of the mod ules, a plurality of horizontal floor elementssupported on the beams, a longitudinally extending, downwardlyprojecting rib on the underside of each floor element, said ribssupported on top of the beams, floor element and beam connectingmeans onthe rib of each floor element and on an adjacent portion of the beams,means connecting the connecting means together to rigidly connect thefloor elements to the beams, each module having an undercut portion in afront, lower portion thereof defining a downwardly facing shoulder, andat least one floor element having an end portion thereof received insaid undercut portion and clamped between said shoulder and a beamspaced vertically below said shoulder, to define a three-dimensionalspace frame which resists horizontal and vertical loads.

19. A modular building structure as in claim 18, wherein verticallyextending, elongate tie bolts extend through aligned vertical openingsin said modules, beams and floor elements to securely clamp the modules,beams and floor elements together.

20. A modular building structure comprising a plurality of fixedlyinterconnected, vertically extending modules, horizontally extendingbeams and horizontally extending floor elements, said modules eachcomprising precast concrete and each substantially U-shaped inhorizontal cross-section and including a back wall and a pair of spacedapart side walls having upper edge surfaces, a pair of spaced apartnotches in each upper edge surface with the notches in one side wall inalignment with the notches in the other side wall, an undercut portionin a lower front.corner of each side wall defining a downwardly facingshoulder in each side wall, horizontal beams received in the notches inthe side walls, a plurality of substantially rectangular, flat floorelements supported on top of said beams, at least one floor elementhaving an end portion thereof received in said undercut portion andclamped between said shoul- Y der and an underlying beam, beam and floorelement connecting means on the underside of the floor elements and onadjacent aligned portions of the beams, and means rigidly connecting thealigned connecting means together to rigidly secure the floor elementsto the beams, to define a three dimensional space frame which resistshorizontal and vertical loads.

21. A modular building structure, comprising a plurality of fixedlyinterconnected, vertically extending modules, horizontally extendingbeams and horizontally extending floor elements, said modules eachcomprising precast concrete and each substantially U- shaped inhorizontal cross-section and including a back wall, a horizontalprojection extending rearwardly from the back wall and a pair of spacedapart side walls having upper edge surfaces, aligned notches in thefront, upper corners of side walls of each module, said modules arrangedin pairs in back-to-back relationship with the horizontal projections onadjacent modules in alignment with one another, module connecting meanson the horizontal projections, means connecting the module connectingmeans together to rigidly secure the modules to one another, a pair ofaxially aligned, horizontal, end-to-end beams received in the notches ineach module in perpendicular relationship to the side walls and withadjacent ends of the pair of beams positioned between the side walls ofthe associated module, beam connecting means on the adjacent ends of thepair of beams, means connecting the beam connecting a means together torigidly connect the beams to one another, a plurality of horizontalfloor elements supported on the beams, each of said floor elementshaving a pair of spaced apart, parallel, longitudinally extending,downwardly projecting ribs on the underside thereof, said ribs supportedon the tops of said beams, floor element and beam connecting means onsaid ribs and an adjacent portion of said beams, means connectingthefloor element and beam connecting means tofloor elements and onadjacent: portions of the modules, and means connecting the floorelement and module connecting means together to rigidly connect'thefloor elements to the modules, to (define a threedimensional space framewhich resists horizontal and vertical loads.

1. A modular building structure, comprising: a plurality of fixedlyinterconnected structural elements, aligned connecting means on each ofsaid structural elements fixedly connecting said structural elementstogether, said structural elements including vertically extendingmodules, horizontally extending beams, and horizontally extending floorelements, means fixedly connecting each of said beams and floor elementsat at least spaced points thereon to at least another one of saidstructural elements, said modules each being substantially U-shaped inhorizontal cross section and including a pair of vertically extendingside walls and a vertically extending back wall connected to the sidewalls, said side walls each having an upper marginal edge surface and alower portion with at least one beam receiving recess in each of saidupper marginal edge surfaces, said beam receiving recesses being locatedin the front marginal edges or corners of the upper edge surfaces of theside walls and comprising step recesses having a depth and widthcorresponding to the cross sectional thickness of a beam so that a beampositioned in a recess is flush with the edge surfaces of the modules,at least some of said beams received in said recesses and each fixedlyconnected at at least two spaced points thereon to said modules, andeach fixedly connected at a third point thereon to another one of saidstructural elements, said floor elements each being elongate andsubstantially rectangularly shaped and supported on said beams in ahorizontal position, each of saId floor elements being fixedly connectedat at least two spaced points thereon to at least one other of saidstructural elements, and fixedly connected at a third point thereon toanother one of said structural elements, adjacent connecting means onsaid structural elements being aligned and operatively secured togetherto fixedly secure said beams, modules, and floor elements together todefine a threedimensional space frame which resists horizontal andvertical loads.
 2. A modular building structure, comprising: a pluralityof fixedly interconnected structural elements, aligned connecting meanson each of said structural elements fixedly connecting said structuralelements together, said structural elements including verticallyextending modules, horizontally extending beams, and horizontallyextending floor elements, means fixedly connecting each of said beamsand floor elements at at least three spaced points thereon to at leastanother one of said structural elements, said modules each beingsubstantially U-shaped in horizontal cross section and including a pairof vertically extending side walls and a vertically extending back wallconnected to the side walls, said side walls each having an uppermarginal edge surface and a lower portion with at least one beamreceiving recess in each of said upper marginal edge surfaces, said beamreceiving recesses being located between opposite ends of the uppermarginal edge surface of the side walls and comprising full recesseshaving a depth and width corresponding to the cross sectional thicknessof a beam so that a beam positioned in a recess is flush with the uppermarginal edge surface of the modules, at least some of said beamsreceived in said recesses and each fixedly connected at at least twospaced points thereon to said modules, and each fixedly connected at athird point thereon to another one of said structural elements, saidfloor elements each being elongate and substantially rectangularlyshaped and supported on said beams in a horizontal position, each ofsaid floor elements being fixedly connected at at least two spacedpoints thereon to at least one other of said structural elements, andfixedly connected at a third point thereon to another one of saidstructural elements, adjacent connecting means on said structuralelements being aligned and operatively secured together to fixedlysecure said beams, modules, and floor elements together to define athree-dimensional space frame which resists horizontal and verticalloads.
 3. A modular building structure as in claim 2, wherein at leastone beam extends between the side walls of one module and is received inthe recesses in said side walls.
 4. A modular building structure as inclaim 2, wherein each beam is connected at two spaced points thereon toone module and at a third point to another module.
 5. A modular buildingstructure as in claim 2, wherein each beam is connected at two spacedpoints thereon to one module and at a third point to another beam.
 6. Amodular building structure as in claim 2, wherein each beam is connectedat two spaced points thereon to two separate modules and at a thirdpoint to another module.
 7. A modular building structure as in claim 2,wherein each beam is connected at two spaced points thereon to twoseparate modules and at a third point to another beam.
 8. A modularbuilding structure as in claim 2, wherein each floor element isconnected at two spaced points thereon to one of the modules and at athird point thereon to another module.
 9. A modular building structureas in claim 2, wherein each floor element is connected at two spacedpoints thereon to two separate modules and at a third point thereon toanother module.
 10. A modular building structure as in claim 2, whereineach floor element is connected at two spaced points thereon to a moduleand a beam and at a third point thereon to another floor element.
 11. Amodular building structure, comprising: a plurality of fixedlyinterconnected structural elements, aligned connecting means on each ofsaid structural elements fixedly connecting said structural elementstogether, said structural elements including vertically extendingmodules, horizontally extending beams, and horizontally extending floorelements, means fixedly connecting each of said beams and floor elementsat at least three spaced points thereon to at least another one of saidstructural elements. said modules each being substantially U-shaped incross section and including a pair of vertially extending side walls anda vertially extending back wall connected to the side walls, said sidewalls each having an upper marginal edge surface and a lower portionwith at least one beam receiving recess in each of said upper marginaledge surfaces, a plurality of said modules being connected together insuperposed, vertically stacked relationship to form a vertical column,said structural including a plurality of said columns in spaced apartrelationship with said columns each comprising a pair of adjacent,vertical stacks of U-shaped modules, with the back walls of the modulesin one stack adjacent the back elements of the modules in the adjacentstack, a horizontal projection on the back wall of each module extendingtoward the back wall of an adjacent module, and means connectingtogether the extensions on adjacent pairs of modules, at least some ofsaid beams received in said recesses and each fixedly connected at atleast two spaced points thereon to said modules, and each fixedlyconnected at a third point thereon to another one of said structuralelements, said floor elements each being elongate and substantiallyrectangularly shaped and supported on said beams in a horizontalposition, each of said floor elements being fixedly connected at atleast two spaced points thereon to at least one other of said structuralelements, and fixedly connected at a third point thereon to another oneof said structural elments, adjacent connecting means on said structuralelements being aligned and operatively secured together to fixedlysecured said beams, modules, and floor elements together to define athree-dimensional space frame which resists horizontal and verticalloads.
 12. A modular building structure, comprising: a plurality offixedly interconnected structural elements, aligned connecting means oneach of said structural elements fixedly connecting said structuralelements together, said structural elements including verticallyextending modules, horizontally extending beams, and horizontallyextending floor elements, means fixedly connecting each of said beamsand floor elements at at least three spaced points thereon to at leastanother one of said structural elements, said modules each including atleast two vertically extending, angularly interconnected walls eachhaving an upper marginal edge surface and a lower portion with at leastone beam receiving recess in each of said upper marginal edge surfaces,at least some of said beams received in said recesses and each fixedlyconnected at at least two spaced points thereon to said modules, andeach fixedly connected at a third point thereon to another one of saidstructural elements, said floor elements each being elongate andsubstantially rectangularly shaped and supported on said beams in ahorizontal position, each of said floor elements being fixedly connectedat at least two spaced points thereon to at least one other of saidstructural elements, and fixedly connected at a third point thereon toanother one of said structural elements, adjacent connecting means onsaid structural elements comprising metallic members cast into saidmodules, beams and floor elements with portions thereof exposed, saidexposed portions of adjacent, aligned connecting means welded together,to fixedly secure said beams, modules, and floor elements together todefine a three-dimensional space frame which resists horizontal andverticala loads.
 13. A modular building structure, comprising: aplurality of fixedly interconnected structural elements, alignedconnecting means on each of said structural elements fixedly connectingsaid structural elements together, said structural elements includingvertically extending, precast concrete modules, horizontally extendingpercast concrete beams, and horizonally extending precast floorelements, means fixedly connecting each of said beams and floor elementsat at least three spaced points thereon to at least another one of saidstructural elements, said modules being substantially U-shaped inhorizontal cross section with vertically extending, angularlyinterconnected walls each having an upper marginal edge surface and alower portion with at least one beam receiving recess in each of saidupper marginal edge surfaces, at least some of said beams received insaid recesses and each fixedly connected at at least two spaced pointsthereon to said modules, and each fixedly connected at a third pointthereon to another one of said structural elements, said floor elmentseach being elongate and substantially rectangularly shaped and supportedon said beams in a horizontal position, each of said floor elementsbeing fixedly connected at at least two spaced points thereon to atleast one other of said structural elements, and fixedly connected at athird point thereon to another one of said structural elements, adjacentconnecting means on said structural elements being aligned andoperatively secured together to fixedly secure said beams, modules, andfloor elements together to define a three-dimensional space frame whichresists horizontal and vertical loads.
 14. A modular building structureas in claim 13, wherein a poured in situ concrete topping is on top ofsaid floor elements.
 15. A modular building structure as in claim 14,wherein metal tie rods are cast into said modules and have exposedportions extending into said poured in situ topping to secure thetopping to the modules.
 16. A modular building structure, comprising aplurality of fixedly interconnected, vertically extending modules,horizontally extending beams and horizontally extending floor elements,said modules each comprising precast concrete and each substantiallyU-shaped in horizontal cross section and including a back wall and apair of spaced apart side walls having upper edge surfaces, alignednotches in the front, upper corners of the side walls of each module, apair of axially aligned, horizontal, end-to-end beams received in thenotches in each module in perpendicular relationship to the plane of theside walls and with adjacent ends of the pair of beams positionedbetween the side walls of the associated module, beam connecting meanson the adjacent ends of the pair of beams, means connecting the beamconnecting means together to rigidly connect the beams to one another, aplurality of horizontal floor elements supported on the beams, each ofsaid floor elements having a pair of spaced apart, parallel,longitudinally extending, downwardly projecting ribs on the undersidethereof, said ribs supported on the tops of said beams, floor elementand beam connecting means on said ribs and on adjacent portions of saidbeams, means connecting the floor element and beam connecting meanstogether to rigidly secure the floor elements to the beams, floorelement and module connecting means on the floor elements and onadjacent portions of the modules, and means connecting the floor elementand module connecting means together to rigidly connect the floorelements to the modules, to define a three-dimensional space frame whichresists horizontal and vertical loads.
 17. A modular building structure,comprising a plurality of fixedly interconnected, vertically extendingmodules, horizontal beams and horizontal floor elements, said moduleseach comprising precast concrete and each substantially U-shaped inhorizOntal cross section and including a back wall and a pair of spacedapart side walls having upper edge surfaces, aligned notches in theupper edge surfaces of the side walls between opposite ends of the upperedge surfaces, a horizontal beam received in the notches and extendingbetween and perpendicular to the side walls of the modules, a pluralityof horizontal floor elements supported on the beam, a longitudinallyextending, downwardly projecting rib on the underside of each floorelement, said ribs supported on top of the beams, floor element and beamconnecting means on the rib of each floor element and on an adjacentportion of the beams, means connecting the connecting means together torigidly connect the floor elements to the beams, floor element andmodule connecting means on the ribs of the floor elements and onadjacent portions of the modules, and means rigidly connecting the floorelement and module connecting means together to rigidly connect thefloor elements to the modules to define a three-dimensional space framewhich resists horizontal and vertical loads.
 18. A modular buildingstructure, comprising a plurality of fixedly interconnected, verticallyextending modules, horizontal beams and horizontal floor elements, saidmodules each comprising precast concrete and each substantially U-shapedin horizontal cross section and including a back wall and a pair ofspaced apart side walls having upper edge surfaces, aligned notches inthe upper edge surfaces of the side walls between opposite ends of theupper edge surfaces, a horizontal beam received in the notches andextending between and perpendicular to the side walls of the modules, aplurality of horizontal floor elements supported on the beams, alongitudinally extending, downwardly projecting rib on the underside ofeach floor element, said ribs supported on top of the beams, floorelement and beam connecting means on the rib of each floor element andon an adjacent portion of the beams, means connecting the connectingmeans together to rigidly connect the floor elements to the beams, eachmodule having an undercut portion in a front, lower portion thereofdefining a downwardly facing shoulder, and at least one floor elementhaving an end portion thereof received in said undercut portion andclamped between said shoulder and a beam spaced vertically below saidshoulder, to define a three-dimensional space frame which resistshorizontal and vertical loads.
 19. A modular building structure as inclaim 18, wherein vertically extending, elongate tie bolts extendthrough aligned vertical openings in said modules, beams and floorelements to securely clamp the modules, beams and floor elementstogether.
 20. A modular building structure comprising a plurality offixedly interconnected, vertically extending modules, horizontallyextending beams and horizontally extending floor elements, said moduleseach comprising precast concrete and each substantially U-shaped inhorizontal cross-section and including a back wall and a pair of spacedapart side walls having upper edge surfaces, a pair of spaced apartnotches in each upper edge surface with the notches in one side wall inalignment with the notches in the other side wall, an undercut portionin a lower front corner of each side wall defining a downwardly facingshoulder in each side wall, horizontal beams received in the notches inthe side walls, a plurality of substantially rectangular, flat floorelements supported on top of said beams, at least one floor elementhaving an end portion thereof received in said undercut portion andclamped between said shoulder and an underlying beam, beam and floorelement connecting means on the underside of the floor elements and onadjacent aligned portions of the beams, and means rigidly connecting thealigned connecting means together to rigidly secure the floor elementsto the beams, to define a three dimensional space frame which resistshorizontal and vertical loads.
 21. A modular building structure,Comprising a plurality of fixedly interconnected, vertically extendingmodules, horizontally extending beams and horizontally extending floorelements, said modules each comprising precast concrete and eachsubstantially U-shaped in horizontal cross-section and including a backwall, a horizontal projection extending rearwardly from the back walland a pair of spaced apart side walls having upper edge surfaces,aligned notches in the front, upper corners of side walls of eachmodule, said modules arranged in pairs in back-to-back relationship withthe horizontal projections on adjacent modules in alignment with oneanother, module connecting means on the horizontal projections, meansconnecting the module connecting means together to rigidly secure themodules to one another, a pair of axially aligned, horizontal,end-to-end beams received in the notches in each module in perpendicularrelationship to the side walls and with adjacent ends of the pair ofbeams positioned between the side walls of the associated module, beamconnecting means on the adjacent ends of the pair of beams, meansconnecting the beam connecting means together to rigidly connect thebeams to one another, a plurality of horizontal floor elements supportedon the beams, each of said floor elements having a pair of spaced apart,parallel, longitudinally extending, downwardly projecting ribs on theunderside thereof, said ribs supported on the tops of said beams, floorelement and beam connecting means on said ribs and an adjacent portionof said beams, means connecting the floor element and beam connectingmeans together to rigidly secure the floor elements to the beams, floorelement and module connecting means on the floor elements and onadjacent portions of the modules, and means connecting the floor elementand module connecting means together to rigidly connect the floorelements to the modules, to define a three-dimensional space frame whichresists horizontal and vertical loads.